Monitoring printer usage...

Spider · 6 Dec 2006 at 10:21

What is the recommended way to monitor printer usage in a networked environment? We have users who print locally and to network printers, but all log on to the domain and it would be handy to log what users are printing (especially those that are going through laser toners every 3 weeks!) and review what is being printed for works purposes and what is being printed for “other” uses.

Any suggestions appreciated.

Messiah Khan · 6 Dec 2006 at 10:26

We use a piece of software called Pcounter;
http://www.andtechnologies.com/pcounter.html
This connects into the domain server and does everything you seem to need. Don't ask me how much it costs though as I wasn't the one who bought it.

breamy1990 · 6 Dec 2006 at 10:46

we use print sniffer advanced

its $100 but im sure it can be found elsewere

if your going to use this software make sure you get the advanced version as the number of printers it can log is unlimited

http://www.printsniffer.com/

the pc counter software is $1195

Messiah Khan · 6 Dec 2006 at 12:57

breamy1990 said:
the pc counter software is $1195

*Chokes*

Stupid purchasing decisions *grumble grumble*

M0KUJ1N · 6 Dec 2006 at 16:37

*shrug* if it works, and you aren't paying for it why choke? Enterprise software costs money unfortunately, although unless you're setting up charged queues and the like PCounter is probably overkill.

What about setting up a linux box with CUPS and Samba? have a sniff round /var/spool and see who's printing out what

A[L]C · 6 Dec 2006 at 16:58

What printers? We use HP Laserjets with the web admin package which gives us reports of useage

Messiah Khan · 6 Dec 2006 at 19:36

M0KUJ1N said:
*shrug* if it works, and you aren't paying for it why choke? Enterprise software costs money unfortunately, although unless you're setting up charged queues and the like PCounter is probably overkill.

What about setting up a linux box with CUPS and Samba? have a sniff round /var/spool and see who's printing out what

We simply use it to limit the amount a user can print. If they run out of credit they have to come and see us and justify why they need more.

tonyyeb · 6 Dec 2006 at 19:41

messiah khan said:
We use a piece of software called Pcounter;
http://www.andtechnologies.com/pcounter.html
This connects into the domain server and does everything you seem to need. Don't ask me how much it costs though as I wasn't the one who bought it.

Another vote for pcounter. Very popular in schools and colleges.

What about setting up a linux box with CUPS and Samba?

We tried this and we found it less friendly, although much cheaper!